Besides, the hypothesis that BNP has a crucial role in the regulation of food intake is challenged by observations in mice transgenically overexpressing BNP. These animals show chronically elevated BNP plasma concentrations comparable to levels attained with BNP infusions in clinical studies. Yet, feeding behavior and food intake are completely normal (8). Therefore, it is premature to conclude that natriuretic peptides regulate satiety and food intake through ghrelin. Integrative human studies are required that take into account the wide spectrum of metabolic actions elicited by natriuretic peptides.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A.L.B. is supported by a grant from the German Research Foundation (BI1292/4-1).

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.